Makes appeals to women, union workers and people with economic worries

Posted August 29, 2008 1:23 PM

by Jill Zuckman

Dayton, Ohio - Saying he has found "the right partner to help me stand up to those who value their privileges over their responsibilities," Sen. John McCain introduced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to an exuberant stadium of voters this afternoon in this crucial swing state.

McCain made a stark appeal with his choice of Palin to women and union members and voters worried about the economy - all people who are key to victory in states like Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Palin, McCain told the crowd, "was a union member and is married to a union member and understands the problems, the hopes, the values of working people."

She "knows what it's like to worry about mortgage payments and health care and the cost of gasoline and groceries," he said. "And I am especially proud to say in the week we celebrate the anniversary of women's suffrage, a devoted -- a devoted wife and a mother of five."

"She's exactly who I need, she's exactly who this country needs, to help me fight...the same old Washington politics of me first and country second," McCain said.

Palin, who is the youngest person ever elected governor of Alaska and also the first woman elected governor, returned the praise after introducing her husband and four of her five children.

"A colleague once said about Senator McCain, 'that man did things for this country that few people could go through. never forget that,'" she said. "And that speaker was former Senator John Glenn of Ohio. And John Glenn knows something about heroism. And I'm going to make sure nobody does forget that in the campaign."

Palin also paid tribute to Sen. Hillary Clinton, who won 18 million votes in the Democratic primary, but not her party's nomination. And she acknowledged Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominated for vice president.

"I can't begin this great effort without honoring the achievement of Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and of course, Hillary Clinton, who showed determination in her presidential campaign," Palin said. "It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."